Pickin’ & Paddlin’ featuring The Blackberry Bushes

What began as a couple of kayakers pickin’ tunes on the back deck after a long day on the river, has grown into a huge community celebration in to raise funds for the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance and their efforts to transform the Colorado Bridge Dam into Oregon’s first whitewater playpark. Highlights include kayak, canoe and stand up paddle board demos throughout the late afternoon, local and regional acoustic, bluegrass and Americana acts in the evening, microbrews from Bend’s best breweries, food carts, non-profit information tables and more.

With the passage of Bond Measure 9-86 in November of 2012, the majority of funding was secured for Bend Parks & Rec to construct a safe passage for tubers and a whitewater play park in place of the mill-era dam below the Colorado Bridge. The BPTA has promised to raise $900K through grants, fundraising and private donations to fund the whitewater features of the project. Currently they have $300K more to go and they need your help. All funds raised at Pickin’ & Paddlin’ go towards this cause. Please support the sponsors of this event listed at the bottom of the page.

More info:

Admission:

$5 and children 12 and under are free Pint glasses are $10 and come with two drink tickets for those 21 and older

Times: Demos from 4 – 7 p.m. The opener begins playing at 5 p.m. and the headliner is done by 9 p.m.

This event is part of the Subaru of Bend Outside Games.

During this month’s Pickin’ & Paddlin’, we’ll also be hosting the 5th Annual Deschutes Wooden Boat Gathering on the backlawn from 4 – 6 p.m. Builders will have the opportunity to meet other builders, talk shop, and swap tips and techniques. If you own a wooden kayak, canoe or SUP bring it down and show off your craft. This is also a great even for those thinking of building a floating wooden object.

Special thanks to Deschutes Brewery and Cascade Lakes Brewing for donating the kegs for this event.

About The Blackberry Bushes: Their blend of traditional Bluegrass and Folk elements with more contemporary sounds has an appeal not seen since Nickel Creek or The Be Good Tanyas. (Joseph Kyle The Big Takeover) About Franchot Tone: Tone’s music is best described as laid-back pop rock with a breezy reggae vibe, the perfect backdrop for a sunny afternoon down by the river. Originally known for his work with the Culver City Dub Collective who opened for the likes of Michael Franti, Jack Johnson and the like, his solo career is well on its way with his video for “Everything is Fine” garnering over a million hits in the first two weeks.

About Quincy Street: Quincy Street is a four-member all acoustic band that presents an eclectic mix of traditional and original ballads backed up with guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobro, harmonica and bass.

Thanks to our sponsors:

Special thanks to our 2014 Pickin’ & Paddlin’ Sponsors:

$5,000

Deschutes Brewery

Cascade Lakes Brewery

92.9

Bend Radio Group

Bedell Guitars/Two Old Hippies

Bank of the Cascades

$2,500

Ruffwear

$1,500

Eclipse Engineering

Rebound Physical Therapy

Alaska Legacy Lodge LCC

Pipefish

Edward Jones

Wright Design Studio

Wall Street Suites

Nashelle

Sun Country Tours

$1,000

Shelter Studio

Hydro Flask

The Skjersaa Group at Duke Warner Realty

Humm Kombucha

$500

WOW

Bowerman Guitars

Structus

PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS

Please help us in supporting these local non-profit organizations dedicated to protecting and enhancing Central Oregon’s waterways.